In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa and Becky tackle a question almost every final‑year trainee asks: “When should I actually start preparing for my consultant interview?” They unpack why last‑minute, two‑week prep creates panic, how early, light‑touch preparation in your final year protects you from surprise adverts, and how it frees up headspace for pre‑interview meetings and presentations when the job you really want finally appears.
They then walk through a real “mistake” example from an Academy student – a malpositioned syndesmosis fixation requiring revision – and use it to show why some clinical stories worry panels more than they help you.
Tessa and Becky also break down the increasingly common question, “How would you create a culture where people can speak up?” and show you how to answer it without slipping into vague buzzwords.
The episode closes with a deep dive into interview presentations: typical timings, why five minutes is harder than it sounds, and how to avoid the classic mistake of overrunning and being cut off mid‑pitch.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/
What is Ace Your NHS Consultant Interview?
Welcome to Ace Your NHS Consultant Interview - the podcast for doctors who want to take the stress and guesswork out of their NHS consultant interview prep.
We know how overwhelming it can feel to prep for your consultant interviews when you’re already stretched thin.
Each episode, we’ll break down what actually works - no fluff, no endless reading, just practical steps you can fit into a hectic week. You’ll hear honest advice, real stories, and the frameworks we use with our own students inside the Academy to help you show up confident, prepped, and ready to secure the job you want.
If you’re a final year trainee or locum consultant and you want to prepare, not panic, you’re in the right place.